Page 6 - CEO Orientation

Public Juridic Person

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (Church Law) created the concept of “Public Juridic Person”
(comparable to a civic corporation) whereby a group “directed to a purpose befitting the Church’s
mission” (“works of piety, of the apostolate or of charity, whether spiritual or temporal”) would have
certain obligations and rights (Canon 114). Upon application, the Church could grant to sponsors or
Public Juridic Persons the formal authority to participate in the continuance of Jesus’ mission in its
name.

Formation of CHSO

In 1998, three Religious Congregations: The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, The Grey Sisters of the
Immaculate Conception of Pembroke and The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, in
collaboration with the Catholic Health Association of Ontario were granted approval by the Holy See
to establish a new Public Juridic Person, Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario (CHSO).

In 2003, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa requested that CHSO assume sponsorship of their health
care organizations. The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul joined in 2006 and the Missionary
Sisters of the Precious Blood in 2008. Two Peterborough facilities that had evolved from those
founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peterborough came under CHSO sponsorship in 2010.

With roots in seven Founding Congregations, today there are twenty-one CHSO member
organizations. The purpose of CHSO is to continue, in the name of the Catholic Church, the healing
ministry of Jesus, in organizations founded by the Sisters and to sponsor new Catholic works to serve
those most in need in local communities.
1

In order for any health care organization to be considered Catholic, it must:
• provide care to people without regard or judgement about who they are or a person’s race,
faith, circumstances, or life choices
• be sponsored, which provides the link to the Church
• have a strategic priority of responding to the unmet need in the community it serves
• show evidence that it is providing services of the highest quality
• be financially sustainable

1 Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa
Marianhill, Pembroke St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Peterborough
Mariann Home, Richmond Hill St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay
Marycrest at Inglewood Senior’s Residence, Peterborough St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Elliot Lake
Mattawa Hospital, Mattawa St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto
Mattawa Seniors Living, Mattawa St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Sudbury
Pembroke Regional Hospital, Pembroke St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, Sudbury
Providence Healthcare, Toronto St. Joseph’s Villa, Sudbury
Providence Care, Kingston St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
Providence Care Research Institute, Kingston St. Patrick’s Home, Ottawa
St. Gabriel’s Villa, Chelmsford Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene